Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Suspected rebels charged with murder in death of broadcaster

From the Sun Star-Cebu (May 28): Suspected rebels charged with murder in death of broadcaster

CEBU. The artist sketch and mugshot of the suspects in the death of Dumaguete City-based broadcaster Edmund Sestoso. (Courtesy of PRO 7-PIO)

THREE suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were charged with murder on Friday, May 25, for their alleged involvement in the killing of Dumaguete City-based broadcaster Edmund Sestoso.

The complaint was lodged before the Office of the Dumaguete City Prosecutor's Office at 2:30 p.m., according to the press statement released by Senior Superintendent Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office acting director.

Rene Bustamante, alias Ka Pediong, alias Ka Jade Hervias, alias Ka Jury Mercado, and two John Does, who are relatives of Bustamante were named respondents in the complaint.

The police's witness stated that Bustamante was an NPA commander and his relative.

Bustamante was reportedly mad at Sestoso after the latter framed him up to the police, leading to his arrest for illegal possession of firearm and explosive in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

He wanted to revenge on Sestoso.

The witness, in his affidavit, said he knew two of the suspects, Ka Mokong and Sherwin, who were introduced to him during his birthday in September 2017.

The suspects told the witness that they are cousins from Barangay Bakid, Guihulngan City, and they were NPA members.

They told him Bustamante is their uncle.

Before the shooting happened morning of April 30, the witness was driving his jeepney with his wife as one of his passengers.

He saw Ka Mokong and Sherwin on board a black motorcycle.

The suspects overtook the jeepney and stopped near another motorcycle, which Sestoso was a passenger.

The back rider shot Sestoso's leg first and fired another four shots.

Afterwards, the culprits fled and the witness helped rush Sestoso to the hospital.